CBA Insider

by Chris Westerbeek
Published on November 16, 2001 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)

by Chris Westerbeek

Around the American Conference

The Continental Basketball Association commences play in its 56th season of hoops Friday night, November 16. Actually, only half of the league's teams will even begin play this weekend. While teams in the American Conference embark on their 56-game schedules, the National Conference squads are just entering training camp. Coaches and general managers are making final cuts in preparation for the upcoming games, and more roster shuffling is likely to occur during the first few weeks of the season. Despite the uncertainties at this point, I will do my best to offer a preview of the American Conference.

Gary Steelheads:

The crowd support for Gary's home exhibition game earlier this week was phenomenal as the Steelheads slid by Rockford, 104-99. 4,164 interested fans saw a preview of what could be a very successful season in the Steel City.

Local product and former Purdue standout Carson Cunningham should dazzle the crowd in the Genesis Center this year with his passing and scoring ability. Joining him in the backcourt will be Mark Atkins, who averaged 14.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Steelheads last season. Brian Taylor, Jamal Wilson, Tyron Triplett, Barry Bradford, and Eric Roberson will duel for playing time as well.

Cory Hightower, Darin Hancock, and Charlie Miller provide plenty of punch at the forward position. Miller, who played at Indiana University, averaged 10.8 ppg for Gary last season. Hightower is a shooter, though at 6-7 he has the size to play inside as well. Hancock is an athletic wing player with NBA experience. Terrence Shannon, Roy Hammonds, and Johnelle Slone could wind up playing this position as well.

Gary should be more than adequate on the interior as well. 6-7 Charles Macon, a former Mr. Basketball in Indiana, is tough to stop around the basket. He will battle underneath the boards alongside 7-0 Livan Pyfrom, 6-9 Greg Springfield, and 7-0 Antanas Vilcinskas.

Grand Rapids Hoops:

Grand Rapids coach Mark Hughes is looking to improve on the Hoops solid 2000-01 campaign. He started in the right place by bringing back point guard and leading scorer Sean Colson, who will begin his fourth season with the Hoops this weekend.

Colson will be the focal point of a backcourt combination that could be the league's finest. He will be joined by the talented James Collins, who averaged 17 ppg a season ago for Grand Rapids. Colson was pouring in 29 ppg last season before being called up by the Houston Rockets. Other guards looking for action include Rob Dye, Travis Conlan, and DeMarcus Minor.

Jamie Kendrick and Willie Simms are athletic swingman who will provide the Hoops with some scoring punch. Jamal Kendrick (different player), should also see time at the forward spot, though he will start the season on the injured reserve list.

Strongman Antonio Smith bolsters a solid front line. Smith, one of the famous Flintstones while at Michigan State, returns for his third year with the team. Veteran minor-leaguer Jeff Stern and 6-11 rookie Jeff Rabey will join Smith. 6-11 Jason Lawson will begin the season on the injured list.

Rockford Lightning:

The triangle offense has found a home in Rockford, where former Chicago Bull Stacey King returns as head coach of the hometown Lightning. King has built a roster which will feature plenty of quickness in the backcourt and experience under the basket.

David Harrison returns at the guard position for Rockford, alongside former Miami University standout Mike James. Scott Knapp, who played collegiate ball at Siena, will fight for playing time in the backcourt.

Rockford is stocked with talent at the forward position. King expects big things out of newcomer Chris Hollender, who played with the IBL champion St. Louis Swarm last season. Emmett Hall and Gabe Frank return to the squad from last season. Hall and Hollender each scored 15 points in an exhibition game with Gary on November 11. Jerry Gee, who played at Illinois, should be a solid addition to an already strong frontcourt.

The Lightning return former Chicago Bull Jeff Sanders at the center position. An aging veteran, Sanders is still a force to be reckoned with under the basket. He can also knock down the midrange jumper with consistency.

Sioux Falls Skyforce:

Phil Woolpert led the San Francisco Dons to two consecutive NCAA titles in 1955 and '56. Now his son, Paul Woolpert, will attempt to lead the Sioux Falls Skyforce to a championship in his first season as head coach.

The Skyforce roster features plenty of talent to get the job done. The team is loaded at the forward position with scoring and rebounding ability. Leon Smith, who recently attempted to jump from high school to the NBA, could be a big-time performer. He will be joined inside by Silas Mills, Leonard White, Muntrelle Dubbins, and Carlos Strong. Needless to say, Sioux Falls should have quite a formidable frontcourt.

Former Georgetown star Victor Page brings scoring and slashing ability from the wing. Darren McClinton, Ray Weathers, Tony Ford, and Tim Burns should see playing time in the backcourt as well.

Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from November 16, 2001

• CBA Insider - OSC Original by Chris Westerbeek

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